Sean Hjelle sharp in second straight start as UK baseball routs Oakland

Sean Hjelle turned in his second straight stellar start and Kentucky’s baseball team rolled to a 10-1 win against Oakland on Friday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Hjelle (2-0) pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings. He gave up one hit and no walks while striking out a career-high 13 batters for the Cats (5-1).

“It was a special night, but I’m trying to get the job done every night,” he said.

Hjelle didn’t give up a hit until Jordan Jackson lined a single to left with two outs in the eighth inning.

“(Jackson) earned it,” Hjelle said. “I grooved a two-strike pitch and he had a good two-strike approach. He was squaring balls up on me all night. His first at bat, without the wind, that ball was going out. He has a good swing.”

Hjelle, a junior who is 34th on MLB.com’s list of top draft prospects, also got the win in UK’s season opener against Wofford. He gave up one run on two hits with three strikeouts in six innings in that outing.

Troy Squires led the Cats at the plate against Oakland (1-5) with three RBI, including a run-scoring double in the second inning and a two-run single in the third.

T.J. Collett singled in a run in the second inning and added a solo home run in the sixth. It was the third home run of the season for Collett, who now has nine RBI and is batting. 318.

Hjelle is the reigning Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year. Friday’s victory was the 17th of his career.

This story was originally published February 23, 2018 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Sean Hjelle sharp in second straight start as UK baseball routs Oakland."